Accuracy Questions

[Konrad]

#6087

Questions:

1. In the never ending quest for the ultimate in archery accuracy, all other things being equal, which is more critical, arrow straightness or uniformity of weight?

It would seem to me that varying weights would produce vertical “stringing” on the target (related to time-of-flight/velocity variations) while shafts with straightness issues (say .006” total indicated run out) would produce more rounded groupings.

2. On any given bow draw weight/draw length, will shafts of a slightly stiffer spine produce better groups than shafts of a slightly weaker spine or will the opposite be true?

Of course, answers submitted will require apt justification for given opinions!

[wildschwein]

#48362

I would rather shoot straight arrows that vary in wieght (up to 50ish grains) than a perfectly wieght matched set that were crooked. It has been my experience that even with a 50ish grain difference, the up/down difference in grouping is negligable (two to four inches). On the opposite side I have had crooked arrows do some very bizarre(sp) things, escpecially with broadheads attached.

I think this example explains it best though. If my wieght mismatched arrows drop a bit when I shoot a Deer at 20 yards, my double lung hit will be be either a low lung hit, heart shot or maybe even a complete miss. If my crooked arrows vary left to right my double lung hit now becomes a liver/gut hit, or shoulder shot and unfortunately probably never a complete miss.

And as far as you spine question goes, I find my accuracy suffers fairly equally whether my arrows are too light of spine, or too stiff. But at least if they are too stiff you can up tip wieght.

[Stephen Graf]

#48644

If you are talking about carbon or aluminum arrows, then you are looking for trouble where none exists. I doubt there is a carbon or aluminum arrow out there that could give a normal person any trouble, accuracy wise.

If you are talking organic arrows, that’s another can-o-worms. But if you are talking organic arrows, then you must be willing to live with them. buy a bunch (way more than you need), cull the ones that don’t suit you and hide the rest in the back of the shed where your wife won’t find them 😯

[Jason Wesbrock]

#48747

I agree with Steve regarding aluminum or carbon straightness. You show me an archer who can shoot the difference between .006 and .003 shafts and I’ll show you a person who should have an Olympic gold metal, or in the case of a compound shooter, win Vegas. Needless to say, it’s a complete non-issue for all but the upper hundredth of a percent of archers, and probably zero traditional shooters. One of the guys with whom I occasionally shoot and hunt has five IBO world championship titles with a recurve, and I highly doubt even he could shoot the difference. With respect to arrow weight, I can sure as heck tell the difference in 50 grains of weight even as close as 20 yards, and I’m not as good as my previously mentioned acquaintance.

Regarding which is more consistent, slightly weak or stiff, that depends on the individual shooter.

[Hiram]

#49037

As Jason pointed out,, “Consistency” is the reall issue over accuracy. If I had to pick?? I would want straight arrows of course!! Unless the Bow is mounted into a shooting machine and shot for accuracy??? “Acuracy” is only reletive to the goal!! Most Bows will shoot bullet holes out of a machine at close range,,,even with a little weight variance.

But,,,,,,No question is ever regarded as NOT important,,because in asking,, others may learn!:)

[wildschwein]

#49431

Steve Graf wrote: If you are talking organic arrows, that’s another can-o-worms.

Ah my bad. Sorry Konrad I presumed that your question was about wood arrows. Might be that you were talking alloy/carbon?

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